Gypsum fringle-myrtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gypsum fringle-myrtle |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calytrix
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| Species: |
gypsophila
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The gypsum fringle-myrtle (scientific name: Calytrix gypsophila) is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, just like eucalyptus trees! This plant is only found in Western Australia, which means it's endemic there. It's a unique part of Australia's natural world.
About the Gypsum Fringle-Myrtle
What it Looks Like
The gypsum fringle-myrtle is a shrub that can grow up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. It's a medium-sized plant that stands out in its environment.
This plant usually has beautiful white flowers. You can often see them blooming for many months, from February all the way through to September.
After the flowers, the plant grows interesting fruits. These fruits are long and shaped like a cylinder, about 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) long and 2 millimeters (0.08 inches) wide. They have fan-shaped "wings" and little pointy bits called awns at one end. Inside this long fruit, there's a small, oval-shaped seed.
Where it Grows
The gypsum fringle-myrtle likes to grow in specific places. You can find it on flat plains, near salt lakes, and on clay pans. It often grows alongside other plants called samphires.
This plant is mostly found in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It also grows a bit further into central and western South Australia. It prefers sandy or loamy soils that contain gypsum. Gypsum is a soft mineral, and the plant's name "gypsophila" even comes from this!
How it Was Discovered
The gypsum fringle-myrtle was officially described for the first time in 1987. A botanist named Lyndley Craven gave it its formal scientific name. He wrote about it in an article called A taxonomic revision of Calytrix Labill. (Myrtaceae). This article was published in a science journal called Brunonia.
